Giant African Olive Millipede

Telodeinopus aoutii

MillipedebeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

No venom, no sting

Millipedes don't bite or sting and have no venom. Many do secrete defensive chemicals when stressed, so wash your hands after handling and keep them away from your eyes and mouth.

About

A large, olive-toned African millipede — and, unusually, a good climber, so give it branches and bark in addition to a deep (4+ inch) moist substrate. Keep warm (75-82°F) and humid (70-90%). A detritivore that also takes fruit, veg, lichen, and the occasional high-protein item (fish flakes); always provide calcium. Docile and long-lived, but releases a large amount of staining defensive fluid when disturbed — handle gently and wash hands afterward, keeping it away from your eyes.

Taxonomy

FamilySpirostreptidae

GenusTelodeinopus

Native regionWest Africa (Ghana region)

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamentdocile; good climber

Size & growth

Adult size6-7 inches (16-19 cm)

Length150.00–190.00 mm

Growth rateslow

Climate

Temperature75–82 °F

Humidity70–90%

Enclosure

Adult sizeterrestrial tank with deep substrate; good ventilation

Substratedeep coco/soil + leaf litter, decaying wood & lichen; branches for climbing; calcium

Substrate depth4+ inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modeDetritivore (decaying matter)

Prey sizen/a (detritivore)

Adult cadencecontinuous — leaf litter, decaying hardwood, veg + calcium

Times kept: 0